Apparatus for dispersing material in a fluid stream



Dec. 4, 1951 J. D. WALKER APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING MATERIAL IN A FLUID STREAM 2 SHEETS-SHEET l `Filed Oct. 25, 1946 Dec- 4, 1951 J. D. WALKER 2,577,095 f APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING MATERIAL IN A FLUID STREAM Filed oct. 25, 194e l 2 sl-IEETs-SHEET 2 Patented Dec. 4, 1951 APPARATUS FOR D'ISPERSING MATERIAL yA FLUID STREAM James D. Walker, Aurora, Ill., assignor to The American Well Works 'Application October 25, 1946, Serial No. 705,537

4 Claims.

My invention relates to methods and means for intermixing two vmaterials, at least one of which materials is fluid in character. The materials to be mixed may be of various classes includingr gases, liquids, finely divided solids, and combinations thereof. VWhile the invention is applicable in various elds for various specific purposes, it is especially advantageous for the introduction of gases, liquids, or iinely divided materials into water or sewage liquids. For the purpose of the present disclosure, such an 'application of the invention will be described.

In the purification of water, suitable materials in solid, liquid, or gaseous form are commonly I added for such purposes as regulating the acidity or alkalinity of the water, killing bacteri'ain the water, precipitating lhardness-causing lcon-'- stituents, and reacting with ingredients in the water to form gelatinous precipitates, which precipitates act as coagulants to promote sedimentation and to remove suspended matter. The addition of various liquids for these various purposes is well known. An example of the use of a gas is the addition of carbon-dioxide to water for reducing caustic alkalinity. An 'example kof using solid material is the admixin'g of activated carbon with water to eliminate undesirable tastes or odors. g

It is well known that in all 'such procedures wherein a relatively small quantity of material is added to a relatively large quantity of fluid for the treatment thereof, `the Yeiectiveness of the added material depends "to a great extent upon the completeness with which it is dispersed in the fluid and the rapidity with which such dispersion is attained.Y The general object of my invention is to achieve in a mixing process uniform dispersion of the added material in the shortest possible time. n

A specic obiect of the invention is to provide a simple, effective apparatus with but few moving parts that may be readily incorporated in a pipe line or main. In some practices of the invention a further object is to minimize, if not completely compensate for, resistance to flow Vinvolved in the dispersion procedure whereby the invention may be incorporated in a pipe line or main withoutreducing the pressure drop of the streamY flowing through the pipe or main. In some instances my invention may actually increase the net pressure head. o y

In general, these objects are attained by restricting a streamjof material 'in the passage means to an outer AI'ueriphe'ral zone of reduced cross-sectional area; with consequent local 'aca' 2 celeration of the stream, drawing oli a portion of the stream issuing from said zone, adding the desired material to the drawn-ofi portion, vand redirecting the augmented drawn-off portion centrifugally toward the peripheral zone with -tices of the invention a pump means is incor porated to compensate at least in part for the resistance to 'flow incidental to 4the 'mixing op'- eration.

Other objects 'and advantages will be apparent in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative: Y

` Fig. 1 'is a view of a relatively simple embodiment o'f my invention, the View being partly in side elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken as indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; f b b Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig'. 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention incorporating two mixing stages; a

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a third embodiment of the invention incorporating means to com'- lpensate for resistance to flow involved in the mixing operation;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 i's a cross-section taken as indicated bythe line 6-'6 of Fig. 4.

In Fig'. 1 numeral I 0 generally designates a conduit or passage means through which fluid flows in the direction indicated by the arrows. The passage means Il] may be of various constructions in various practices of the invention, but preferably will be adapted -for incorporation in a pipe line or main to serve as a part thereof. While the passage means may be a simple straight easing, it is desirable to have it curved for a change in direction thereby to simplify the problem of actuating moving parts therein by power means outside the casing. b

In the particular construction shown in Fig. l, the passage means lil comprises three sections, viz: an elbow section Il, an intermediate mixing section l2, and an end section I3. Each of these three sections is provided with suitable radial iianges I5 by means of which the 'sections may be held together `by bolts lli.Y In similar manner the passage means as a whole may be attached to adjacent parts of a pipe line or main. Such an adiacent part, designated I1, of a pipe line or main is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The elbow section I I has an exterior cylindrical extension I8 coaxial with the two sections I2 and I3, on which extension is mounted a suitable motor 20. In some installations the motor 20 may be attached to overhead structure 2l for support of the whole apparatus. The motor 2D is connected by a suitable coupling 22 with a shaft 23 that extends through a suitable packing gland 25 into the interior of the passage means. As shown in the drawing, the shaft 23 extends along the axis of the two straight sections I2 and I3, and is seated at its inner end in a suitable bearing 26 in the section I3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the

bearing 26 is an integral part of the section I3,

being connected with the cylindrical wall of the section by three longitudinal wings 21.

Mounted on the driven shaft 23 in section I2 is a rotary means or diffusion impeller 28 which is of smaller diameter than the surrounding wall of the section to form therewith an outer or peripheral annular zone 3i). Preferably the mixing section I2 is expanded or bowl-shaped in configuration, as shown in the drawing, with the peripheral zone 3Q at the transverse plane of maximum diameter. I

The diffusion impeller 23 may take various forms in various practices of the invention, but by way of example is here shown as comprising a hub 3|, a plurality of blades 32 extending outward from the hub toward the peripheral Zone 30, and a disc or circular plate 33 unitary with the blades 32 on the upstream side of the impeller. Since the iiuid flows upward through the passage means I0, the upstream side of the diffusion impeller is actually the lower side. While the blades 32 of the diffusion impeller may be straight, I prefer the somewhat curved configuration shown in Fig. 2.

Preferably the peripheral zone 3c is'provided with suitable means for blocking peripheral rotation of the iiuid therein, which blocking means may, for example, comprise a series of xed blades 35 mounted on the interior of the mixing section I 2. It is contemplated that the blades 35, which may be termed xed diffusion blades, will be positioned generally longitudinally of the mixing section I2, but they may be inclined, as shown in the drawing.

In the mixing operation carried out by the described apparatus, it is essential first, that theV upwardly moving stream of water or sewage liquid be diverted into the restricted annular zone 30; second, that a portion of the fluid owing upward from the peripheral zone be drawn off and redirected to the peripheral zone for recycling; and third, that the material to be added to the water or Lsewage liquid be added to the drawn-olf portion in the course of such recycling.

While the diversion of the upwardly moving stream into the peripheral zone 3U may be accomplished in various ways, I prefer to have this function performed by the diffusion impeller 28. It would seem that the solid wall formed by the disc 33, which functions as a baiiie, on the upstream side of the diffusion impeller would be necessary for accomplishing such diversion on the part of the rotary impeller, but the disc may be omitted if the diffusion impeller is rotated at a sufficiently high speed relative to the rate of ow through the apparatus. In other WordsL the absence of the disc 33 the rapidly rotating impeller blades 32 will divert the upstreaming fluid to the peripheral zone 30 with almost the same abruptness as would the disc 33.

The recycling of the portion of the fluid issuing from the peripheral zone 3i) is accomplished by centrifugal action. The blades of the diffusion impeller form open passageways on the downstream side of the impeller, and these centrifugal passageways may be regarded as having inlets in a central zone 36 on the downstream side of the impeller and as having outlets directed toward the surrounding peripheral zone 30. It is apparent that the particular construction shown forms a vortex in the fluid on the downstream side of the difusion impeller, with the eye or intake of Vthe vortexin the central zone 36. In effect, the

desired recycling of the portion of the iiuid is performed by this vortex.

The material to be added to the fluid flowing through the passage means I0 in the course of the described recycling of the portion of fluid may be introduced in any suitable manner. In Vthe preferred practice of my invention illustrated by the drawingsf the added material is introduced through a nozzle 31 that extends radially into the mixing section I2 to terminate in the central zone 35. The nozzle is shown mounted in a suitable flanged pipe connection 33 that is formed integral with the wall of the mixing section I2.

'I'he operation of the described apparatus may Y be readily understood from the foregoing description and discussion. The upflowing stream of uid to be treated is restricted to the annular zone 30, with consequent acceleration of its Velocity in that zone. As the upowing fluid issues from the peripheral zone'ZU a portion is drawn inward by virtue of the reduced pressure existing in the central zone 36, and the drawn-oft portion is thrown centrifugally outwardly toward the peripheral zone by the diffusion impeller 28. The material in gas, liquid or finely divided solid form that is introduced through the nozzle 31 joins the recycled fluid. It is apparent that the outward flow of the centrifugally driven recycled fluid conflicts with the upward flow of the und' treated fluid through the peripheral zone 3i), and that this coniict will result in such violent and extensive turbulence as to cause the added material to be thoroughly and quickly intermixed with the fiud under treatment. The rotary effect of the centrifugal action tends to cause the fluid in the peripheral zone 30 to rotate, but the iixed diffusion blades 32 oppose such peripheral rotation and thereby further increase the turbulence for further effectiveness in the mixing operation. As a result the added material is thoroughly and uniformly dispersed in the fluid issuing from thei elbow section II. Y Y

'I'he diffusion impeller 28 may be rotated in either direction. In the initial practice of the invention it is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, and the impeller blades 32 may, therefore, be regarded as swept backward. On the other hand, if the diffusion impeller is rotated clockwise, the blades 32 may be aptly described as curved forwardly at their tips.

As heretofore stated, the fixed diffusion blades 35 extend in a direction generally longitudinal of the passage means I0, and obviously the blades may be strictly longitudinal, if desired. With the diifusion impeller 28 rotating counterclockwise, as contemplated in the initial practice of the invention, the fixed blades 35. when positioned asY in Fig.A 1. are inclined such manner as attracco ,i 5 i to oppose the advance ,of the fluid through the mixing vsection l2; That is to say, lany counterlockwise peripheral rotation .of the fluid in the outer peripheral zone v3EI, in response to the coun- -terclockwise rotation of the diffusion impeller Y2-8, will be in such rotary direction relative to `the inclined direction of the fixed blades ,35 as to result in a tendency of the fluid to be thrown back through the peripheral zone 3D, counter .to the prevailing direction of Ythe fluid flow. This -tendency to ow backward is, of course, overcome by the stronger tendency for-the iluid to progress through the passage means lll, but lthe reverse `tendency is, nevertheless, a factor that further promotes turbulence where violent turbulence ,is desired for rapid and thorough intermixture,

It is to be understood that the fixed diffusion blades 35 may be inclined opposite from the manner shown in the drawings with respect to the direction of rotation of the diffusion impeller 23. In other words, the fixed blades may be so inclined that any rotary response of iluid in the peripheral Zone 3s will cause the fluid to ad- Vance in the direction of prevailing flow. In such an arrangement the xed blades 35 would serve their primary function and adequate turbulence would be engendered in the mixing section l2; but the inclination of the blades would be such as to favor longitudinal ilow through the apparatus.

The second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FiguB is largely similar in construction to the first described embodiment, as indicated by the employment of corresponding numerals to indicate corresponding parts,v The distinction over the first described construction is: that Fig. 3 incorporates two successive mixing sections I2 instead of a single section. Each of the sections l2 has one of the previously mentioned ,nozzles 3l for the introduction of material to treat the main stream of fluid floating through the apin Fig. 4 is also largely similar to the first described embodiment, as indicated by the use of corresponding numerals to identify corresponding parts. tion of pump means upstream from the mixing section l2 for the purpose of at least partly compensating for the resistance to longitudinal flow through the apparatus involved in the described mixing operation.

In Fig. 4 a straight section 40 is interposed between the previously described mixing section I2 and the previously described end section I3. A shaft e3, corresponding to the previously mentioned shaft 23, extends axially through the three sections l2, lill and I3, and, in the manner heretofore described, is seated inthe bearing 26 in the section I3. On the shaft i3v is mounted the previously described diffusion impeller 28 in the mixing section I2, and likewise mounted on the shaft is a pumping impeller 45, the pumping impeller being on the upstream side of the peripheral zone 3E.

Since it is contemplated that the shaft 43 will rotate counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6, its blades 4@ are inclined in the manner shown in Fig. 4 to boost the upward flow of duid in the apparatus. The longitudinal wings 2'! that support the bearing 26 have a function inthe pumping operation, since they serve to direct the up- The new feature in Fig. 4 is the addi- :vi/.ani flowing liquid toward the .pumping Virnreller ,4.5 .and prevent peripheral rotation of the fluid 'below the pumping impeller.

1t ,is .apparent that the pumping .impeller 45. vi151 .adding kinetic `energy to the upwardly flowing stream, may compensate to any degree desired v,for the resistance to flow involved in the mixing i. In apparatus for y dispersing a material Ain a y fluid stream flowing in a given axial direction under ,the influence Aof a .hydrostatic head, the combination of a conduit section through which the stream is forced by said head, bailie means mounted in said `section and forming with the walls thereof an annular peripheral acne through which substantially Ythe entire stream must flow, a centrifugal impeller mounted in said conduit section Vclosely ,adjacent to the baffle means, said impeller having a hub and a plurality of blades radiatingtherefrom lon the downstream ,side of said baille means, means for `,driving said impeller whereby fluid von theV downstream side of the baile means is recycled by being drawn inwardly from the annular zone `and is then moved in an upstream direction to said hub of the impeller where it is forced by said blades radially outwardly against the stream of fluid passing through said annular zone and substantially at right angles thereto, and means for adding said material to said recycled portion of the stream.

2. In apparatus for dispersing a material in a fluid stream flowing in a given axial direction under the influence of a hydrostatic head, the combination of a conduit section through which the stream is forced by said head, baille means mounted in said section and forming with the walls thereof an annular peripheral zone through which substantially the entire stream must flow, a centrifugal impeller mounted in said conduit section closely adjacent to the baille means, said impeller having a hub and a plurality of blades radiating therefrom on the downstream side of said baille means, means for driving said impeller whereby fluid on the downstream side of the baffle means is recycled by being drawn inwardly from the annular zone and is then moved in an upstream direction to said hub of the impeller where it is forced by said blades radially outwardly against the stream of fluid passing through said annular zone and substantially at right angles thereto, a series of iixed diffusion blades Y disposed in said conduit between the peripheral edge of the impeller and the surrounding wall of the conduit for inhibiting peripheral rotation of the fluid in the annular zone, and means for adding said material to said recycled portion of the stream.

3. In apparatus for dispersing a material inv a fluid stream flowing in a given axial direction under the influence of a hydrostatic head, the combination of a straight conduit section through which the stream is forced by said head and a curved or elbow conduit section through which the stream is thereafter passed, baflle means mounted in said straight section and forming with the walls thereof an annular peripheral zone through which substantially the entire stream must flow, a centrifugal impeller mounted in said straight conduit section closely adjacent to the bafe means and on the downstream side thereof, said impeller having a hub and a plurality of blades radiating therefrom, driving means for the impeller including a motor mounted on the elbow section in axial alignment with the impeller, a drive shaft extending from the motor to the impeller and passing through the elbow section, said impeller being constructed and arranged whereby uid on the downstream side of the baie means is recycled by being drawn inwardly from the annular zone and then moved in an upstream direction to said hub of the impeller where it' is forced by said blades radially outwardly against the stream of uid passing through said annular zone, and means for adding said material to said recycled portion of the stream.

4. In apparatus for dispersing a material in a fiuid stream, a composite length of conduit through which the stream is adapted to be passed under the influence of a hydrostatic head. said conduit including a straight conduit section and an elbow section joined thereto, a centrifugal impeller mounted within the straight section for rotation along the axis thereof and constituting an obstruction to the flow of fluid through said conduit, said impeller forming with the walls of said straight section an annular zone through which substantially the entire stream must pass in moving toward the elbow section under the influence of said hydrostatic head, said impeller comprising a hub and a plurality of blades radiating therefrom whereby when the impeller is rotated the fluid is drawn from the annular zone on the downstream side of the impeller and forced radially outwardly by said blades into turbulent engagement with, and substantially at right angles to, the iiuid passing through said annular zone, means for introducing said material for admixture with the stream into the uid withdrawn from the annular zone prior to said engagement with the fluid owing through the annular Zone, and means for driving said impeller, said means including a motor mounted on said elbow section in axial alignment with the straight section and a shaft extending through said elbow section between the motor and said impeller.

JAMES D. WALKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,765,338 Jones et al June 17, 1930 1,809,033 Hargreaves June 9, 1931 2,063,301 Durdin, Jr Dec. 8, 1936 2,308,751 Guthrie et al. Jan. 19, 1943 2,313,654 MacLean Mar. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 189,076 Great Britain Nov. 23, 1922 449,091 Germany Sept. 1, 1927 

